Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

The United States Department of Agriculture is offering $40,000 in prizes to developers who can create video games to help children lose weight, or design electronic applications that will assist parents in their efforts to make better food choices for themselves and their families.

The contest is part of First Lady Michelle Obama's campaign against childhood obesity.

"Maybe you've seen those dance video games or exercise games that families are playing together at home," Mrs. Obama said in a March 10 Associated Press article. "Those are the kinds of games we are talking about."

Regarding the types of tools for parents that contest organizers are looking for, Mrs. Obama explained, "say you're at the grocery store and you are trying to figure out whether one food is healthier than the other, then you can pull up that answer on your iPhone."

Entries are due June 30, 2010.

Labels: government, prevention, awareness

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According to a Feb. 23 Associated Press report, the American Academy of Pediatrics is supporting U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama's obesity prevention campaign by providing prescription slips to help pediatricians recommend healthy living tips:

The slips say, "Rx for Healthy Active Living.'' They list four daily tasks: eating at least five fruits and vegetables; limiting screen time to two hours or less; getting at least one hour of physical activity; and drinking fewer sugary drinks.

They also have a space for parents or kids to fill in which task they want to work on first.

The academy has downloadable versions of these prescription slips for pediatricians on its Web site.

Labels: prevention, awareness

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Canadians are engaging in a national debate about whether their obesity epidemic warrants new laws and taxes similar to the ones used against smoking.

According to a Jan. 14 article by Meagan Fitzpatrick of Canwest News Service, the proposed laws would ban the sale of unhealthy foods or tax them, and put government subsidies on fruit and vegetables:

Governments over the years, have passed various pieces of legislation designed to reduce smoking, including increased taxation and packaging requirements, and some health experts have been pushing for similar initiatives to combat obesity.

Proposals include banning the advertising of unhealthy foods, increasing taxes on food that isn't nutritious, subsidizing fruits and vegetables to make them more affordable for Canadians and forcing the food industry to change its labelling, packaging and ingredients.

"This is a legitimate public debate about how far you go with voluntary versus legal restrictions," said [Dr. David] Butler-Jones. "The timing for that I think, really depends on when a community is educated enough, and ready enough and understands the implications."

In 2009, a Canadian group posed a legal challenge to companies that were marketing junk food to children.

Labels: junk food, prevention, awareness, canada

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In a Feb. 10 statement, the American Nurses Association (ANA) expressed its support of First Lady Michelle Obamas campaign against childhood obesity:

As the largest nursing organization in the U.S., ANA stands ready to assist the First Lady to address this significant health problem through her program, Let's Move America's Move for a Healthier Generation.

"Nurses see first hand the devastating effects of obesity," said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. "Obesity can increase the risk of stroke, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension as well as many other illnesses. ... ANA recognizes the effects of obesity and pledges its ongoing support of programs that serve to address the issue."

The only full-service professional organization representing the interests of the nation's 2.9 million registered nurses, the ANA describes its mission as "fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public."

Labels: government, prevention, awareness, campaign

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About 20 percent of overweight young people open up spam messages for weight loss products, according to a study from Brooklyn City College. Author Joshua Fogel said the finding is troublesome, because many of these products can cause serious health problems.

Dr. Fogel interviewed 200 students of Commuter College of New York about their habits on the Internet and found the ones who were overweight tended to read Internet ads for weight loss products. Dr. Fogel believes that healthcare providers should educate young patients about the dangers of such products.

Labels: awareness, education

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South Dakota needed a program to help children deal with weight issues. Aaron Maguire couldnt find a program that addressed the need, so he created one of his own.

South Dakota's Argus-Leader newspaper provided the following details about Maguire's efforts:

Beginning this month, Dakota Kids Inc. will help overweight and obese children through a 12-week healthy kids program.

Meeting once a week for about an hour, participants  from kindergartners through high school seniors  will learn about nutrition and theyll exercise. Theyll go through body composition and strength tests and be sent home with tip sheets to share with their families.

A recent South Dakota survey found that 33.6 percent of the kids are overweight or obese. Maguire hopes his Dakota Kids program will help significantly reduce that number.

Labels: prevention, awareness

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South Carolinas Education Department head is teaming up with Subway in a campaign to combat childhood obesity.

According to a Sept. 8 Associated Press article, Superintendent of Education Jim Rex and longtime Subway spokesman Jared Fogle will be participating in a video conference call to mark the kickoff of a month-long anti-obesity video and poster competition.

Students will be asked to create videos and posters that creatively communicate the ways they stay healthy and fit. Jared is expected to visit South Carolina in October to announce the winners, who will receive fitness grants for their schools and cash cards to use at all Subway locations.

Labels: prevention, awareness

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Convened in Boston and hosted by the city's mayor, the City and School Leaders Collaborating on Local Wellness Policies initiative met to discuss strategies for citywide wellness policies that could be sustained long-term.

"One of the innovative local programs that project teams visited was the Boston Schoolyard Initiative, a partnership by the city, school district and Boston Schoolyard Funders Collaborative that has refurbished 71 public schoolyards... these schoolyards are converted into spaces in which children can be healthy and physically active as well as learn outdoor science lessons..."

Several strategies were discussed for implementing similar programs in other cities, including connecting wellness committees to existing youth programs, and partnering with a foundation or other entity to ensure implementation of citywide policies. Source: National League of Cities

Labels: schools, prevention, awareness

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David Jones, a retired North Carolina state employee, wants to raise awareness about childhood obesity. And he's doing it one step at a time - literally.

"Jones.... plans to walk the 73 miles from Snow Hill to Raleigh in October to take his message to state officials. 'I want to raise awareness that there needs to be more actions taken to defeat childhood obesity,' Jones said."

Three people are expected to join Jones in his walk. They will walk 15 miles a day for six days. Source: Kinston Free Press

Labels: prevention, awareness, childhood_health

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New York Sports Clubs (NYSC), the largest operator of fitness clubs in New York, and Snapple are hosting a 24-hour spin-a-thon to raise awareness and money to fight childhood obesity. The event will take place on January 18, 2008 at the Grand Central Terminal in New York City.

"Corporate sponsors or individual riders will contribute a minimum of $100 an hour to participate in Saints and Spinners and all proceeds raised will benefit HealthCorps, the student health education program founded by 'Oprah's Doctor' Mehmet Oz in response to America's childhood obesity crisis. The goal of the event is to raise $375,000 to fund 5 new HealthCorps programs - one for a high school in each borough of New York City."

One-hundred riders will participate at a time, for 55-minute intervals, with each interval being led by a "Celebrity Spinner". This will be the largest spinning event in New York City History.

Labels: awareness, exercise, celebrities

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The Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF Institute) has launched a one-year technical assistance initiative that will assist six U.S. cities in promoting community wellness and combating childhood obesity. Each city has developed a leadership team comprised of both city and school district staff.

"The one-year technical assistance initiative will provide municipal and school leaders with peer learning opportunities and consultation with national experts in the areas of local wellness policies, childhood obesity, healthy eating, active living and school health councils."

In April, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced that it was committing $500 million over the next five years toward combating childhood obesity. As childhood obesity has become a greater concern nationwide, local wellness policies have attracted the attention of major foundations and of Congress. Read more at NLC.org.

Labels: awareness, wellness, community

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On her way back from Mexico, first lady Michelle Obama stopped to visit a community farm in San Diego to help promote her anti-obesity initiative:

Obama toured the New Roots Community Farm to promote her ‘Let’s Move!’ campaign against childhood obesity. The event kicked off a $1 billion project by the California Endowment to fund healthy living initiatives in 14 communities across the state." (Source: The Associated Press)

The farm is planted, maintained and harvested by about 80 farmers who have immigrated to the San Diego area from countries around the world. Many of the workers plant the same crops that they grew in their native countries, giving the farm a decidedly international flair. The crop is used to feed the neighborhood, and is also offered for sale at local Farmer’s Markets.

Labels: childhood_obesity, prevention, awareness, obese teens

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A recent White House report stated that obesity is estimated to cause 112,000 deaths per year and that one-third of children 10-years-old are expected to develop diabetes at some point in their lives. The report also stated that the current generation of children, because of childhood obesity and related issues, may not outlive their parents.

“The White House report offers recommendations related to early childhood, parenting, food in schools, access to healthy and affordable food and physical activity. Taken individually, none of these is a silver bullet. Also, communities and families looking for solutions must realize that their goals need to be long term and their efforts must be sustainable.” [Source: Des Moines Register]

Unfortunately, the issues of childhood obesity and health didn’t develop overnight. They won’t be fixed overnight either. But comprehensive, long-term plans that include physical exercise and a balanced diet can very quickly start kids on the path towards a long and healthy life.

 

Labels: government, prevention, awareness

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Every year, the first week of May is set aside by the National Association for Sport & Physical Education to promote healthy, active lifestyles. This year, the organization is acknowledging the numerous programs, like Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move,” that have been launched to address obesity.

“Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates a positive correlation between physical education and academic achievement and the ability to concentrate. Further research positively links classroom physical activity to improved attention, achievement and behavior. Co-curricular physical activity is also correlated to educational aspirations, school affiliation, graduation and grade-point average.” [Source: Gannett Wisconsin Online]

One of the programs initiated for the spring is a fundraiser involving tens of thousands of children from Wisconsin. The kids will be jumping rope and shooting hoops to raise money for and awareness of heart disease.

 

Labels: prevention, awareness, obese teens, exercise

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Childhood obesity has reached epidemic status in the United States. Nearly one-third of all children are overweight or obese. Jacksonville, Florida – along with 70 other cities – will participate in a new initiative that aims to address obesity issues by adjusting existing social policy, rather than launching new programs.

“Among some of the changes sought by the initiative is a citywide policy that would make streets safer and more inviting for bicyclists and pedestrians. With Jacksonville recently ranked as the nation’s fourth-deadliest city for pedestrians, walking to school – or anywhere, for that matter – has become a dangerous and less-often used method of transportation.” [Source: The Florida-Times Union]

The initiative also seeks to keep schools open later in the day so that gyms and playgrounds are accessible. Members of the Healthy Kids, Healthy Jacksonville initiative admit there are obstacles to overcome with the schools, but say it’s an important component of the overall strategy.

Labels: prevention, awareness, community

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H.U.M.A.N. Healthy Vending machines are unique tools in the fight against childhood obesity. Part vending machine and part interactive educator, Healthy Vending machines teach kids what they should be eating and why, the manufacturers claim.

For Amy & John Hobbing, preaching the importance of health & nutrition extends beyond the ears of their two children & the walls of their Meridian, ID home. …

The two progressive parents & forward-thinking entrepreneurs have recently partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Ada County to place vending machines in the two local clubs, giving Idaho’s youth access to a wide variety of healthy, tasty & affordable snacks & drinks. [Source: PR Web]

The Director of the Ada County Boys and Girls Club, Jason Sears, believes that nutrition is one of the many areas where kids need to learn how to make good choices. By providing vending machines that offer healthy foods, the Boys and Girls Club can help kids take some important steps forward.
 

Labels: awareness, education, vending_machines

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Though some progress is being made in the fight against childhood obesity, not everyone is on board. Studies continue to show that an alarming number of parents still don’t recognize that their kids are overweight or obese.

“In another survey, only 38% of parents had taken steps, or were planning to take them, to help their obese child lose weight. Several factors may be contributing to this indifference among parents, experts say. Some parents believe their child’s excess weight is just ‘baby fat,’ for instance, and some may simply be in denial.” [Source: Health.com]

Other parents assume their kids are “normal” because their friends are overweight, too. So many kids today are overweight and obese, that they don’t stand out anymore, making obesity appear normal. But parents need to look past what everyone else is doing, and consult with their family doctor regarding healthy weight for all the family members.

Labels: childhood_obesity, awareness, infant, parents

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